About the challenge

Learners with speech difficulties in Ghana face significant challenges in communication, classroom participation, and social interaction, limiting their access to quality education. A major barrier has been the lack of standardized communication tools, resulting in inconsistencies in sign language usage across schools for the hearing impaired. 

The current solution, a national harmonized sign language dictionary, while a crucial step, is limited by its static format, making widespread adoption and effective implementation challenging.

To address this, this hackathon aims to leverage advancements in AI and assistive technology to digitize and enhance the dictionary through an AI-adapted Harmonized Ghanaian Sign Language digital platform. 

This platform will serve as a dynamic and interactive tool to bridge communication gaps, promote consistency in sign language use, and empower non-standard speech users to participate fully in learning and social interactions.

Constraints for the solution include:

• Accessibility: The platform must be easily accessible to all learners, regardless of their socio-economic background or location, potentially through offline capabilities or low-bandwidth options.

• Usability: The interface must be intuitive and user-friendly for learners with varying levels of technical proficiency.

• Accuracy: The AI component must accurately interpret and translate Ghanaian Sign Language to ensure effective communication.

• Scalability: The platform should be designed to accommodate future growth and expansion to include more sign language variations or educational content.

• Sustainability: The solution should be cost-effective to maintain and update, ensuring long-term impact.

• Cultural Sensitivity: The platform must respect and incorporate the cultural nuances of Ghanaian Sign Language and the learning environment.

This hackathon seeks to transform sign language education and enhance communication for learners with speech difficulties in Ghana, fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational system for learners and create a truly inclusive learning environment across Ghana.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications should be submitted in teams
• Each team should have a min of 2 and a max of 4 members 
• Each team should have
  • at least 1 female team member
  • at least 1 team member who is based outside Accra

• Real World Impact